Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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RETRACTABLE WINDSHIELD FOR A BOAT
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] The present application claims priority to United States Provisional
Patent
Application No. 60/773,308 filed on February 15, 2006.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a boat having a retractable
windshield.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Passenger boats are often provided with a windshield in front of a
rearward
passenger area. The windshield shields the rearward passenger area from the
wind when
the boat is moving on the water. However, some passengers seated in that area
might like
to feel the wind while the boat is moving.
[0004] In cases where the boat is provided with a forward passenger area
forwardly
of the windshield, the windshield also hinders communications between the
passengers in
the forward and the rearward passenger areas.
[0005] Boats with a forward and rearward passenger areas generally have a
passageway communicating the two areas. These boats are often provided with a
central
windshield disposed in the passageway to provide additional shielding.
However, since
the windshield does not extend completely to the floor of the boat, wind can
still pass
through the passageway, which in some cases it may be desired to minimize.
[0006] Some of the above-mentioned concerns have been addressed by the prior
art.
For example, in most boats having a central windshield, the central windshield
is hinged
to the windshield beside it. This allows the central windshield to be pivoted
onto the
windshield to which it is hinged. This system provides easy access between the
two
passenger areas and the central windshield can easily be moved to a position
where it
does not shield from the wind. However, the fact that the central windshield
rests on
another windshield may cause either, or both, to become scratched. Also if the
central
windshield is narrower than the windshield on which it rests, as is often the
case, the
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frame of the central windshield may obstruct the view through the windshield
on which it
rests.
[0007] Other systems provide a central windshield that can be moved to a
position
where it no longer shields the passengers by moving the central windshield
forwardly
while pivoting it to a generally horizontal position. However, having the
windshield in a
horizontal position takes up a lot of space that could otherwise be occupied
by
passengers.
[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a boat with a windshield that can be
moved to a
position where it provides less shielding from the wind.
[0009] There is also a need for a boat with a windshield that can be moved to
a
position which facilitates the communication between the passengers in the
forward
passenger area and the passengers in the rearward passenger area of the boat.
[0010] There is also a need for a boat which provides additional shielding
from the
wind in the passageway between the forward and rearward passenger areas.
Moreover,
for the same reasons as those mentioned above, and for providing easy access
from one
passenger area to the other, there is also a need to have the additional
shielding and the
central windshield move to a position where they would no longer be shielding
or where
shielding is reduced.
[0011] There is also a need for a boat with a windshield that can move to a
position in
which shielding from the wind is reduced and which does not take up too much
space on
the boat while in that position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] It is an object of the present invention to ameliorate some of the
inconveniences present in the prior art.
[0013] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a boat having
a
windshield which can be moved to a position where shielding is reduced.
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[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a boat
having a door
and a windshield disposed in a central passageway for allowing for selective
communication between the forward passenger area with the rearward passenger
area.
[0015] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a boat having
a
windshield which can be retracted to a non-shielding position.
[0016] In one aspect, the invention provides a boat having a hull and a deck
supported by the hull. The deck has a forward passenger area and a rearward
passenger
area. A seat is disposed in the rearward passenger area. A passageway allows
for
communication between the forward passenger area and the rearward passenger
area. A
door is disposed on the deck for selectively closing the passageway between
the forward
passenger area and the rearward passenger area. The door has a top, a front, a
back, and
two sides. A windshield is disposed generally transverse to a longitudinal
axis of the
boat. The windshield is movable between a first position where the windshield
extends a
first distance vertically above the top of the door and a second position
where the
windshield extends a second distance vertically above the top of the door. The
second
distance is less than the first distance.
[0017] In a further aspect, when the windshield is in the second position, the
windshield is in a substantially vertical position.
[0018] In an additional aspect, when the windshield is in the second position,
the
second distance is zero and the windshield extends completely below the top of
the door.
[0019] In a further aspect, the windshield is slidable between the first
position and the
second position.
[0020] In an additional aspect, the windshield is disposed inside the door
when in the
second position.
[0021] In a further aspect, the windshield is rotatable between the first
position and
the second position.
[0022] In an additional aspect, a hinge movably connects the windshield to the
door.
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[0023] In a further aspect, a strut is connected between the door and the
windshield.
[0024] In an additional aspect, the strut is connected to one of the two sides
of the
door.
[0025] In a further aspect, the windshield lies against the back of the door
when in the
second position.
[0026] In an additional aspect, when the windshield is in the second position,
the door
and the windshield are movable together for selectively closing the passageway
between
the forward passenger area and the rearward passenger area.
[0027] In a further aspect, a console is disposed on the deck. The door and
the
windshield in the second position are slidable together inside the console for
communicating the forward passenger area with the rearward passenger area.
[0028] In an additional aspect, a strut has a first end connected inside the
console and
a second end connected to the door.
[0029] In a further aspect, the door and the windshield in the second position
first
pivot together about a horizontal axis before sliding inside the console.
[0030] In an additional aspect, slide rails are operatively connected between
the
console and the door. The door and the windshield in the second position are
slidable
together on the slide rails.
[0031] In a further aspect, the seat is a driver's seat and the console is
disposed in
front of the driver's seat.
[0032] In an additional aspect, when the door and the windshield in the second
position are located inside the console for communicating the forward
passenger area
with the rearward passenger area, one of the two sides of the door is adjacent
to the
passageway. The one of the two sides has a handle.
[0033] In a further aspect, the windshield is a central windshield. The boat
also has a
right windshield disposed to the right of the central windshield and a left
windshield
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disposed to the left of the central windshield. When the central windshield is
in the first
position, the right, left, and central windshields form together a continuous
windshield
spanning a majority of a width of the deck.
[0034] In an additional aspect, a console is disposed on the deck. One of the
left and
5 right windshields is movable between a first position where the one of the
left and right
windshields extends a third distance vertically above a top of the console and
a second
position where the one of the left and right windshields extends a fourth
distance
vertically above the top of the console, the fourth distance being less than
the third
distance.
[0035] In a further aspect, the door and the central windshield in the second
position
are slidable together inside the console for communicating the forward
passenger area
with the rearward passenger area, and the one of the left and right
windshields when in
the second position is disposed forwardly of the door and the central
windshield when the
door and the central windshield are located inside the console.
[0036] In another aspect, the invention provides a boat having a hull and a
deck
supported by the hull. The deck has a rearward passenger area. A seat is
disposed in the
rearward passenger area. A first console is disposed on the deck at a front of
the
rearward passenger area and forwardly of the seat. The first console has a
top. A first
windshield is disposed generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the
boat. The first
windshield is movable between a first position where the first windshield
extends a first
distance vertically above the top of the first console and a second position
where at least a
portion of the first windshield extends a second distance vertically below the
top of the
first console. When the first windshield is in the second position, the at
least one portion
of the first windshield is in a substantially vertical position.
[0037] In an additional aspect, when it is in the second position, the first
windshield
is disposed inside the first console.
[0038] In a further aspect, when it is in the second position, the first
windshield is
completely below the top of the first console.
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[0039] In an additional aspect, the first windshield slides between the first
and the
second positions.
[0040] In a further aspect, the boat has a pair of slide frames connected to
the first
console. The first windshield slides in the slide frames when moving between
the first
and the second positions.
[0041] In an additional aspect, the boat has a side windshield disposed at an
angle to
the first windshield. The side windshield is movable between a first position
where the
side windshield is disposed above a side of the deck and a second position
where at least
a portion of the side windshield is disposed below the side of the deck.
[0042] In a further aspect, the side windshield pivots between the first and
the second
positions.
[0043] In a further aspect, the first console and the first windshield are
disposed on a
first side of the longitudinal axis of the boat. The boat also has a second
console disposed
on the deck on a second side of the longitudinal axis of the boat and a second
windshield
disposed on the second side of the longitudinal axis of the boat.
[0044] In an additional aspect, the second windshield is movable between a
first
position where the second windshield extends a third distance vertically above
the top of
the second console and a second position where at least a portion of the
second
windshield extends a fourth distance vertically below the top of the second
console.
When the second windshield is in the second position, the at least one portion
of the
second windshield is in a substantially vertical position
[0045] In a further aspect, the first and second windshields slide between
their
respective first and second positions.
[0046] In an additional aspect, when the first windshield is in its second
position, the
at least one portion of the first windshield is disposed inside the first
console and, when
the second windshield is in its second position, the at least one portion of
the second
windshield is disposed inside the second console.
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[0047] In a further aspect, the boat has a third windshield disposed between
the first
and second windshields, such that when the first windshield is in the first
position, the
first, second, and third windshields form together a continuous windshield
spanning at
least a majority of a width of the deck.
[0048] In an additional aspect, the deck has a forward passenger area. A
passageway
between the first and the second consoles allows for communication between the
forward
passenger area and the rearward passenger area. A door is disposed on the deck
for
selectively closing the passageway between the forward passenger area and the
rearward
passenger area. The door has a top. The third windshield is operatively
connected to the
door.
[0049] In a further aspect, the third windshield is movable between a first
position
where the third windshield extends a fifth distance vertically above the top
of the door
and a second position where at least a portion of the third windshield extends
a sixth
distance vertically below the top of the door.
[0050] In an additional aspect, each one of the second and third windshields
is
movable between a first position and a second position. When in their
respective first
positions, each of the first, second, and third windshields forms a portion of
the
continuous windshield.
[0051] In a further aspect, each one of the first, second, and third
windshields is
movable independently of the others.
[0052] In an additional aspect, each one of the first, second, and third
windshields is
slidable between its respective first and second positions.
[0053] In a further aspect, each of the first and second windshields is
slidable
between its respective first and second positions, and the third windshield is
rotatable
between its first and second positions.
[0054] In an additional aspect, the boat has an actuator for moving the first
windshield between the first and the second positions.
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[0055] In a further aspect, the actuator includes an electric motor.
[0056] In an additional aspect, the seat is a driver's seat.
[0057] In another aspect, the invention provides a boat having a hull and a
deck
supported by the hull. The deck has a forward passenger area and a rearward
passenger
area. A seat is disposed in the rearward passenger area. A first console is
disposed on
the deck at a front of the rearward passenger area and forwardly of the seat.
The first
console has a top. A passageway allows for communication between the forward
passenger area and the rearward passenger area. A door is disposed on the deck
for
selectively closing the passageway between the forward passenger area and the
rearward
passenger area. The door has a top, a front, a back, and two sides. A first
windshield is
disposed generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the boat. The first
windshield is
movable between a first position where the first windshield extends a first
distance
vertically above the top of the first console and a second position where at
least a portion
of the first windshield extends a second distance vertically below the top of
the first
console. When the first windshield is in the second position, the at least one
portion of
the first windshield is in a substantially vertical position. A second
windshield is
disposed generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the boat. The second
windshield
is movable between a first position where the second windshield extends a
third distance
vertically above the top of the door and a second position where the second
windshield
extends a fourth distance vertically above the top of the door. The fourth
distance is less
than the third distance.
[0058] For purposes of this application, the terms "extend a[first / second /
third /
fourth] distance vertically above" mean that a first element extends a
distance measured
vertically between the top of the first element and the top of a second
element above
which the first element extends. These terms are understood to comprise the
case where
the first element extends completely below the top of the second element, in
which case
the distance is considered to be zero. Also for purposes of this application,
the terms
"substantially vertical position" mean that an element is positioned in space
such that the
height of the projection of the element onto a vertical plane facing the
element is greater
than the length (measured perpendicularly to the vertical plane) of the
projection of the
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element onto a horizontal plane. For example, a windshield disposed transverse
to a
longitudinal axis of a boat is considered to be in a substantially vertical
position when the
height of the projection of the windshield onto a vertical plane disposed
transverse to the
longitudinal axis of the boat (i.e. facing the windshield) is greater then the
length,
measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boat (i.e.
perpendicular to
the vertical plane), of the projection of the windshield onto a horizontal
plane. In the case
of a windshield disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boat, the
vertical plane
onto which the windshield would be projected would be parallel to the
longitudinal axis
and the length of the projection onto the horizontal plane would be measured
in the
direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the boat.
[0059] Embodiments of the present invention each have at least one of the
above-
mentioned objects and/or aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them.
[0060] Additional and/or alternative features, aspects, and advantages of the
embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following
description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00611 For a better understanding of the present invention, as well as other
aspects
and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description
which is to be
used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:
[0062] Fig. 1 is a perspective view, taken from a left side, of a first
embodiment of a
boat in accordance with the present invention, with the windshields in a
shielding
position and the door in a closed position;
[0063] Fig. 2 is a perspective view, taken from a front, of the boat of Fig.
1;
[0064] Fig. 3 is a perspective view, taken from a front, right side, of a
windshield and
door system of the boat of Fig. 1, with the windshields in the shielding
position and the
door in the closed position;
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[0065] Fig. 4 is a perspective view, taken from a front, right side, of the
windshield
and door system of Fig. 3, with the central windshield in a retracted position
and the door
in the closed position;
[0066] Fig. 5 is a perspective view, taken from a front, right side, of the
windshield
5 and door system of Fig. 3, with the central windshield in the retracted
position and the
door in a pivoted position;
[0067] Fig. 6 is a perspective view, taken from a front, right side, of the
windshield
and door system of Fig. 3, with the central windshield in the retracted
position and the
door in an opened position;
10 [0068] Fig. 7 is a perspective view, taken from a left side, of the boat of
Fig. 1, with
the windshields in the retracted position and the door in the opened position;
[0069] Fig. 8 is a perspective view, taken from a front, of the boat of Fig.
7;
[0070] Fig. 9 is a perspective view, taken from a front, right side, of the
windshield
and door system of Fig. 3, with the windshields in the retracted position and
the door in
the opened position;
[0071] Fig. 10 is a perspective view, taken from a front, left side, of a
second
embodiment of a boat in accordance with the present invention, with the
windshields in a
shielding position and the door in a closed position;
[0072] Fig. 11 is a perspective view, taken from a rear, left side, of the
boat of Fig.
10;
[0073] Fig. 12 is a perspective view, taken from a front, left side, of a
windshield and
door system of the boat of Fig. 10, with the windshields in the shielding
position and the
door in the closed position;
[0074] Fig. 13 is a perspective view, taken from a front, left side, of the
windshield
and door system of Fig. 12, with the left and right windshields in a partially
retracted
position;
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[0075] Fig. 14 is a perspective view, taken from a front, left side, of the
windshield
and door system of Fig. 12, with the left and right windshields in a retracted
position;
[0076] Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view, taken vertically through a center of
the door
and central windshield of Fig. 12, with the central windshield in the
shielding position;
[0077] Fig. 16 is a close-up view of the section labelled Fig. 16 in Fig. 15;
[0078] Fig. 17 is a perspective view, taken from a front, left side, of the
windshield
and door system of Fig. 12, with the central windshield in a partially
retracted position
and the door in the closed position;
[0079] Fig. 18 is a perspective view, taken from a rear, left side, of the
windshield
and door system of Fig. 12, with the central windshield in a retracted
position and the
door in the closed position;
[0080] Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view, taken vertically through a center of
the door
and central windshield of Fig. 18, with the central windshield in the
retracted position;
[0081] Fig. 20 is a close-up view of the section labelled Fig. 20 in Fig. 19;
[0082] Fig. 21 is a perspective view, taken from a rear, left side, of the
windshield
and door system of Fig. 12, with the central windshield in a retracted
position and the
door in an opened position;
[0083] Fig. 22 is a perspective view, taken from a rear, left side, of the
boat of Fig.
10, with the central windshield in a shielding position and the door in the
opened
position; and
[0084] Fig. 23A is a close perspective view, taken from a front, left side, of
a boat
with a side windshield in a shielding position; and
[0085] Fig 23B is a perspective view, taken from the front left side, of the
boat of Fig.
23A with the side windshield in a retracted position.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0086] Turning now to the figures, Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a boat 10 having a
hull 20
and a deck 30 supported by the hull 20. The deck 30 has a forward passenger
area 32 and
a rearward passenger area 34. A right console 36 and a left console 38 (in
phantom in
Fig. 1) are disposed on either side of the deck 30 between the two passenger
areas 32, 34.
A passageway 40 disposed between the two consoles 36, 38 allows for
communication
between the two passenger areas 32, 34. At least one engine (not shown) is
located
between the hull 20 and the deck 30 at the back of the boat 10. The engine
powers the
propulsion system (not shown) of the boat 10, which can be of any form, such
as, for
example, jet propulsion, stern drive, or propeller. The engine is accessible
through an
engine cover 42 located behind the rearward passenger area 34. The engine
cover 42 can
also be used as a sundeck for a passenger of the boat 10 to sunbathe on while
the boat 10
is not in motion. A reboarding platform 44 is located at the back of the deck
30 for
passengers to easily reboard the boat 10 from the water.
[0087] The forward passenger area 32 has a C-shaped seating area 46 for
passengers
to sit on. The rearward passenger area 34 also has a C-shaped seating area 48
at the back
thereof. A driver seat 50 facing the right console 36 and a passenger seat 52
facing the
left console 34 are also disposed in the rearward passenger area 34. It is
contemplated
that the driver and passenger seats 50, 52 can swivel so that the passengers
occupying
these seats can socialize with passengers occupying the C-shaped seating area
48. The
right and left consoles 36, 38 extend inwardly from their respective side of
the boat 10.
At least a portion of each of the right and the left consoles 36, 38 is
integrally formed
with the deck 30. The right console 36 has a recess 54 formed on the lower
portion of the
back thereof to accommodate the feet of the driver sitting in the driver seat
50 and an
angled portion of the right console 36 acts as a footrest 56. The left console
38 has a
similar recess (not shown) to accommodate the feet of the passenger sitting in
the
passenger seat 52. The right console 36 accommodates all of the elements
necessary to
the driver to operate the boat. These include, but are not limited to, a
steering wheel 58,
throttle and directional control levers 60, and an instrument panel 62. The
instrument
panel 62 have various dials indicating the vehicle speed, engine speed, fuel
and oil level,
and engine temperature. It is contemplated that the elements attached to the
right console
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36 could be different than those mentioned above. The left console 38
incorporates a
storage compartment (not shown) which is accessible to the passenger sitting
the
passenger seat 52.
[0088] It should be noted that other deck configurations are contemplated
which
would not deviate from the present invention. For example, the boat 10 could
have more
or less seats, or the reboarding platform 44 may not be present.
[0089] In a first embodiment, a door 100 is provided on the deck 30 for
selectively
closing passageway 40 between the forward and rearward passenger areas 32, 34.
As
will be described in more details below, the door 100 can be retracted inside
the right
console 36, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. It is also contemplated that the door
100 could be
retracted inside the left console 38, or that the door 100 could pivot between
its opened
and closed positions about a vertical axis located to one side of the door
100. When it is
closed, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the door 100 shields the passengers in the
rearward
passenger area 34 from the wind while the boat 10 is moving. The door 100 is
preferably
made of fibreglass or plastic.
[0090] A right windshield 102 is provided on the right console 36. A central
windshield 104 is disposed above the door 100 when the door is in a closed
position, as
shown in Fig. 1. A left windshield 106 is provided on the left console 38. The
right,
central, and left windshields 102, 104, and 106 form together a generally
curved
continuous windshield spanning a majority of the width of the deck 30, as
shown in Figs.
1 and 2. The windshields 102, 104, and 106 shield the passengers in the
rearward
passenger area 34 from the wind while the boat 10 is moving. As will be
explained
below, one or more of the windshields 102, 104, and 106 can be retracted. This
allows
the passengers located behind the particular windshield being retracted to
feel the wind
while the boat 10 is moving and facilitates socializing between passengers in
the forward
and rearward passenger areas 32, 34 while the boat 10 is at rest. A pair of
side
windshields 108 is also provided on either side of the deck 30 to shield the
passengers in
seats 50 and 52 from side winds while the boat 10 is moving. The windshields
102, 104,
106, 108 are preferably made of tempered glass. It is contemplated that the
windshields
102, 104, 106, 108 could also be made of a clear plastic.
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[0091] Turning now to Figs. 3 to 8, the method by which the windshields 102,
104,
and 106 and door 100 are retracted will be explained. Note that in Figs. 3 to
6 and 9 all
elements of the boat 10 have been removed, except the windshields 102, 104,
106, door
100, and their related elements, in order to facilitate understanding.
[0092] A pair of central slide frames 110 are provided on either side of the
central
windshield 104. The central slide frames 110 have grooves (not shown) which
hold the
central windshield 104 while it is in a first shielding position where the
central
windshield 104 extends a first distance vertically above the top of the door
100 as shown
in Fig. 3. The central slide frames 110 also each have a groove (not shown)
which holds
one side of a corresponding one of the right and left windshields 102, 106.
The other side
of the right and left windshields 102, 106 are each held by a groove (not
shown) in a side
slide frame 112. The side windshields 108 are held in place by the side slide
frames 112
at the front thereof and by a top frame 114 at a top thereof. The central
slide frames 110
and the side slide frames 112 are preferably made of aluminium and have
plastic inserts
located in their respective grooves.
[0093] The door 100 is attached to a slide rail 116 and is pivotable about the
slide rail
116, as shown in Fig. 5, for reasons which will be explained below. A fixed
portion 118
of the slide rail 116 is located inside the right console 36. It is
contemplated that the door
100 could alternatively be provided with wheels that would roll inside a track
in the floor
of the deck 30. As seen in Fig. 3, it should be noted that the bottom portion
of the door
100 is almost vertical compared to the rest of the door 100 which is at an
angle. This is
done so that the door 100 takes less space in the forward passenger area 32.
[0094] The central windshield 104 can slide down along central slide frames
110 to a
second retracted position where the central windshield 104 is located inside
the door 100
and extends completely below the top of the door 100, as shown in Fig. 4. It
is
contemplated that the central windshield 104 could slide down only partially
inside door
100 so as to adjust a degree of shielding provided thereby. It is also
contemplated that
the central windshield 104 could slide in front of or behind the door 100.
[0095] To open the door 100, once the central windshield 104 is retracted
inside the
door 100, the door 100 is first pivoted rearwardly about the slide rail 116 so
as to
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disengage central slide frames 110, as shown in Fig. 5. The door 100 is then
pushed
along slide rail 116 inside the right console 36, as shown in Fig. 6. The
reverse method is
used to close the door 100. Note that the central slide frames 110 are shaped
to prevent
the door 100 to be pivoted too far forward when it is moved back to a closed
position. A
5 latch (not shown) keeps the central windshield 104 in its shielding
position. Additional
latches (not shown) keep the door 100 in its closed and opened positions.
[0096] The right and left windshields 102, 106 can, independently from one
another,
slide down along their corresponding central and side slide frames 110, 112
from a first
shielding position, where the right and left windshields 102, 106 extend a
first distance
10 vertically above their corresponding consoles 36, 38, to a second retracted
position,
where the right and left windshields 102, 106 are located inside their
corresponding
consoles 36, 38 and extend below the top 39 of their corresponding consoles
36, 38, as
shown in Figs. 7 to 9. Note that the central and side slide frames 110, 112
are shaped
such that when the right and left windshields 102, 106 are in their second
retracted
15 position, they are in a substantially vertical position. By doing this, the
right and left
windshields 102, 106 take up less longitudinal space while in their second
retracted
position, thus allowing the size of the consoles 36, 38 to be reduced, thereby
allowing for
a larger forward passenger area 32. Latches (not shown) maintain the right and
left
windshields 102, 106 in their first shielding positions. It is contemplated
that the central
and side slide frames 110, 112 could be moved inside the consoles 36, 38 or
completely
removed when the windshields 102, 104, 106 are in their retracted positions
[0097] As shown in Figs. 7 to 9, all of the windshields 102, 104, 106 and the
door
100 can be retracted at the same time. The central and side slide frames 110,
112 are
arranged such that, when the right windshield 102 is retracted and the door
100 is opened,
the right windshield 102 is disposed forwardly of the door 100 inside the
console 36.
[0098] Turning now to Figs. 10 to 22, a second embodiment of a boat 10 in
accordance with the present invention is shown. For simplicity, elements of
the second
embodiment which are the same or similar to those found in the first
embodiment have
been labelled with the same reference number and will only be described as
necessary.
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[0099] As best seen in Figs. 12 to 14, the right and left windshields 102, 106
can
move between a first shielding position (Fig. 12), where they extend a first
distance
vertically above their respective consoles 36, 38, and a second retracted
position (Fig.
14), where they extend below their respective consoles 36, 38. The right and
left
windshields 102, 106 can also be moved to a partially retracted position (Fig.
13) where
they extend a distance vertically above their respective consoles 36, 38 which
is less than
the first distance. Each of the right and left windshields 102 and 104 has a
slightly
curved vertical cross-section. The axis of curvature of each of the right and
left
windshields 102 and 104 is preferably located below the floor of the deck 30
forwardly of
the transom of the boat 10. Each of the right and left windshields 102 and 104
also has a
slightly curved horizontal cross-section. The right and left windshields 102,
106 are each
held on one side by a corresponding central slide frame 210 and on the other
side by a
corresponding side slide frame 112. A support 211 (Fig. 18) is provided
between each
central slide frame 210 and its corresponding console 36 or 38 to help support
the
windshields 102, 204, 106. The right and left windshields 102, 106 slide in
their
corresponding central and side slide frames 112 between their various
positions. An
electric motor 220 is provided inside each console 36, 38 and each electric
motor 220 is
connected to its respective windshield 102 or 106 via cables 222 located
inside a track
224. The electric motors 220 and cables 222 are used to raise or lower the
windshields
102, 106. It is contemplated that other actuators or mechanisms could be used
to slide the
windshields 102, 106 between their various positions. For example, the
electric motors
220 could be connected to the windshields 102, 106 via a rack and pinion
assembly, or a
hydraulic or pneumatic actuator could be used. Although they are shown as
moving
together in the Figs. 12-14, it is contemplated that the right and left
windshields 102, 106
could move independently of each other.
[00100] It is also contemplated that the windshields 102, 106 could move
automatically based on the speed of the boat 10. A speed sensor would send a
signal
representative of the speed to an electronic control unit which would in turn
send a signal
to the electric motors 220 to move the windshields 102, 106 to a position
based on the
speed signal. At rest and/or at speeds lower than a first predetermined speed,
the
windshields 102, 106 would be moved to their second retracted position. At
speeds
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higher than a second predetermined speed , the windshields 102, 106 would be
moved to
their first shielding position. The windshields 102, 106 would be moved to
intermediate
positions for intermediate speeds (i.e. speeds between the upper and lower
predetermined
speeds). For example, the intermediate positions could be proportional to the
intermediate speeds.
[00101] Returning to Figs. 10 and 11, a door 200 is disposed on the deck 30
for
selectively closing the passageway 40 between the forward and rearward
passenger areas
32, 34. As will be described in more details below, and as shown in Fig. 22,
the door 200
can be retracted inside the right console 36. The door 200 has a front 226, a
back 228,
and two sides 230, 232. The door 200 is attached to a pair of slide rails, as
shown in Figs.
and 16. Fixed portions 218 of the slide rails are located inside the right
console 36,
and sliding portions 216 of the slide rails are attached to the door 200. It
is also
contemplated that the door 200 could be retracted inside the left console 38,
or that the
door 200 could pivot between its opened and closed positions about a vertical
axis
15 located to one side of the door 200.
[00102] A central windshield 204 can be moved to a first shielding position
where it
extends a first distance vertically above the door 200 when the door 200 is in
a closed
position, as shown Fig. 10. As will be explained below, the central windshield
204 can
be rotated about a horizontal axis to a second retracted position where the
central
windshield 204 extends below the top of the door 200. As seen in Fig. 15, the
central
windshield 204 has a slightly curved vertical cross-section. The axis of
curvature of the
central windshield 204 in its shielding position is preferably located below
the floor of
the deck 30 forwardly of the transom of the boat 10. The central windshield
204 also has
a slightly curved horizontal cross-section. The central windshield 204 is
hinged to the
door 200 by a hinge 234 (Fig. 16). This allows the central windshield 204 to
be rotated
from the first shielding position, shown in Figs. 14-16, to an intermediate
position, shown
in Fig. 17, and finally to the second retracted position lying against the
back 228 of door
200, as shown in Figs. 18-21. When in the second retracted position, as shown
in Fig. 19,
the central windshield 204 is in a substantially vertical position. This means
that a height
H1 of the projection of the central windshield 204 onto a vertical plane P1
facing the
central windshield 204 is greater than a length Ll (measured perpendicularly
to the plane
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P1) of the projection of the central windshield 204 onto a horizontal plane
P2. Note that
the central frames 210 are shaped to prevent the central windshield 204 to be
rotated too
far forward when it is moved back to a shielding position. It is contemplated
that the
central windshield 204 could be rotated down to a retracted position lying
against the
front 226 of the door 200. It is also contemplated that the central windshield
204 could
rotate only partially, as shown in Fig. 17, so as to adjust a degree of
shielding provided
thereby. When rotated only partially, the central windshield 204 extends a
distance
vertically above the top of the door 200 which is less than the first distance
where the
central windshield 204 is in its first shielding position
[00103] As seen in Figs. 15 and 16, a bracket 236 is connected to a bottom of
the
central windshield 234. A strut 238 having a variable length is connected at
one end to
the bracket 236 and at the other end to the side 232 of the door 200. The
strut 238
prevents the central windshield 204 from being moved suddenly to its second
retracted
position (if it is dropped while being moved for example). The strut 238 also
assists in
raising the central windshield 204 back to its first shielding position. It is
contemplated
that a bracket and a strut attached to the side 230 of the door 200 could be
provided on
the left of the central windshield 204 in addition to or instead of the
bracket 236 and strut
238. It is also contemplated that the strut 238 could be replaced by an
electrical or an
hydraulic actuator to automatically raise or lower the central windshield 204
based on
boat speed or by using a user-operated switch.
[00104] Once the central windshield 204 is rotated down against the door 200,
the
door 200 can be pushed along the slide rails 216, 218 inside the right console
36 to an
open position, as shown in Figs. 21 and 22. The reverse method is used to
close the door
200. A handle 240 is provided on the side 230 of the door 200. As shown in
Fig. 22,
when the door 200 and central windshield 204 are located inside the console
236, the
handle 240 can be grabbed to close the door 200. It is contemplated, as shown
in Fig. 12,
that a strut 242 having a first end connected inside the right console 36 and
a second end
connected to the door 200 could be provided to help maintain the door 200 in a
given
position.
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[00105] All of the windshields 102, 204, 106 and the door 200 can be retracted
at the
same time. When retracted, the right windshield 102 is disposed forwardly of
the door
200.
[00106] It is contemplated, as shown in Figs. 23A and 23B, that the side
windshields
108 could also be moved from a shielding position (shown in Fig. 23A) to a
retracted
position (shown in Fig. 23B). A pivot point 300 is located at a back of each
side
windshield 108. The side windshields 108 are moved from their shielding
position to
their retracted position by pivoting them about their respective pivot point
300 in the
direction of arrow 302. The pivot points 300 are oriented such that, when in
their
retracted position, the side windshields 108 are located inside a side of the
deck 30.
[00107] Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of
the
present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The
foregoing
description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. The scope of the
present
invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the
appended claims.
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